New mural promotes after-school program L.A.'s BEST

Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

Artist Joella Thomas paints a section of a mural on the construction wall around the new LAPD detention denter in downtown Los Angeles. The 260-foot-long mural, consisting of painted images and photographs of kids, is titled "Do Time at L.A.'s BEST." L.A.'s BEST, which serves more than 26,000 students at 180 schools, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The intent of the mural is to bring awareness to the after-school hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. when many students are unsupervised.

Artist Joella Thomas paints a section of a mural on the construction wall around the new LAPD detention denter in downtown Los Angeles. The 260-foot-long mural, consisting of painted images and photographs of kids, is titled "Do Time at L.A.'s BEST." L.A.'s BEST, which serves more than 26,000 students at 180 schools, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The intent of the mural is to bring awareness to the after-school hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. when many students are unsupervised. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)